Alvalade youngsters open UEFA Youth League with draw

Sporting put in a solid performance in this season's UEFA Youth League opener against Real Madrid this Wednesday afternoon, securing a 1-1 away draw.

Although facing one of Europe's giants, Sporting put in a brave performance and dominated for most of the first-half, courtesy in part to Tiago Fernandes' well chosen strategy of winning the midfield battle. 

Unfortunately Sporting's dominance was not converted into goals, with a sterling performance in defensive and midfield failing to translate in the final third. 

Half-time arrived with the scoreboard blank, with Sporting have tried their luck on goal seven times compared to Real's one.

Sporting didn't look quite as secure after the restart, largely due to Real Madrid's positioning further up the park. Both sides battled away to get a foothold and chances naturally followed. Diaz Velazquez gave the hosts the lead with a 55th minute strike against an isolated Pedro Silva.

In response Tiago Fernandes gambled in the final stages, introducing Rafael Leão and Nuno Moreira in search of an equaliser. Three opportunities went wanting from Daniel Bragança and Elves Baldé, before Pedro Marques finally did justice to the result three minutes into injury time, after Abdu Conté led a break down the left flank.
 

Coates looks ahead to Wednesday's visit to Real Madrid

Sebastián Coates was the player chosen to share his thoughts on Wednesday's visit to the European Champions in Sporting's return to the Champions League.

"Real Madrid are a great team and we will have to be focused and try to play to our strengths. We will see how it goes, but we will try to play our game. It doesn't matter who plays, we are all ready. I think we just have to take this competition one game at a time. We are going through a good spell now and we are full of confidence, so we will try and show that tomorrow", said the Uruguayan.

Jorge Jesus guarantees his side are ready for Real Madrid

Showing respect, but not fear. That was the challenge set out by Jorge Jesus in his Champions League pre-match press conference this Tuesday, ahead of a daunting visit to the reigning European champions.

“We have been drawn against the European champion for our first game, but that won't change how we play. We will respect Real Madrid like we do every team. We believe in the way we play and in what the team is capable of. We are ready for a hard game and we will also create our own problems for Real Madrid", affirmed the Sporting coach, before adding the inevitable word on Cristiano Ronaldo: "Cristiano is loved in Portugal, particularly by Sporting's fans. It was at the club that he grew up as a player and a person. We will have to pay attention to him, just like every other player. We don't have any special defensive focus on Ronaldo and we will play the way we always do, like we did against Moreirense."

To finish, Jorge Jesus thanked Zinedine Zidane for his complements, but did not pull his punches when it came to the match itself: "We know who we will be facing and we will show respect, but not fear. This is the strongest Real Madrid of the last few years, a lot stronger than before Zidane came in."

Former Sporting and Real Madrid star reflects on his time with two of Europe's giants

The 2001 World Player of the Year, Luís Figo, was one of the much sought after pundits ahead of this Wednesday's Champions League encounter between Sporting and Real Madrid, having represented both clubs.

Figo opened with a reflection on the Alvalade youth system: "Great players are made there. When I was there the idol was Futre. Next it was me, Simão, Cristiano and Nani. I was there from the age of 12 to 22 and I learnt everything at Sporting."

Figo also spoke about his time with Sporting as a professional: "It was a brilliant team! Balakov, Juskowiak. Then after that Paulo Sousa, Pacheco, Luisinho, Venâncio… I also played with Carlos Manuel, Douglas and even Rijkaard. I have a photograph with him as well. I had coaches like Bobby Robson, Queiroz."

Tiago Fernandes includes 18 for Youth League matchday 1

Sporting's under-19 side will face their Real Madrid counter parts in the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium this Wednesday at 17h00, in the UEFA Youth League.

Coach Tiago Fernandes has travelled with a total of 18 players.

Squad list in full:

1 - Abdu Conté
2 - André Franco
3 - Bruno Paz
4 - Bubacar Djaló
5 - Daniel Bragança
6 - Elves Baldé
7 - Filipe Semedo
8 - Gonçalo Vieira
9 - Jefferson Encada
10 - João Oliveira
11 - João Ricciulli
22 - Miguel Luís 
13 - Nuno Moreira
14 - Pedro Ferreira
15 - Pedro Marques 
16 - Pedro Silva
17 - Rafael Leão
18 - Thierry Correia 

Jorge Jesus takes full strength squad to the Spanish capital

Jorge Jesus has taken a full strength squad to Real Madrid for Champions League Group F matchday 1, with only Azbe Jug missing out.

Squad list in full:

1 - Rui Patrício 
2 - Ezequiel Schelotto
3 - Lazar Markovic
4 - Jefferson Moreira
7 - Joel Campbell
8 - Radosav Petrovic
10 - Bryan Ruiz 
11 - Bruno César
13 - Sebastian Coates
14 - William Carvalho 
15 - Paulo Oliveira
16 - André Felipe
19 - Douglas Teixeira
20 - Luc Castaignos
21 - João Pereira
22 - Elias Trindade
23 - Adrien Silva
25 - Marcelo Meli
28 - Bas Dost
30 - Bruno Paulista
31 - Marvin Zeegelaar
34 - Beto Pimparel
35 - Ruben Semedo
47 - Ricardo Esgaio 
73 - Matheus Pereira
77 - Gelson Martins 
88 - Vladimir Stojkovic
99 - Alan Ruiz

Alvalade president answers challenge by Marca with a wonder strike

Real Madrid vs. Sporting CP truely got underway on Monday, with president Bruno de Carvalho netting a penalty past the director of the Marca newspaper, Juan Ignacio Gallardo.

Information for fans travelling to Madrid for Champions League matchday 1

Sporting Clube de Portugal has released the following information for fans travelling to Estádio de Santiago Bernabéu for Wednesday's 20h45 encounter with Real Mardid:

• The area designated for parking for visiting fans is on Avenida das Astúrias, in an area supervised by the local police forces.
• Fans arriving to Madrid prior to the match are advised to gather in the Portas do Sol area of the city.
• The meeting point for the match will be at 17h00 on Avenida do Brasil, near to Estádio Santiago Bernabéu.
• The nearest metro station is "Paseo de Castellana".
• Visiting fans will be escorted to the stadium at 19h00.
• Stadium gates will open at 19h15.
• Contact points will be available for the Portuguese police and Sporting.
• All tickets must have the name and identification number of each fan written in the correct space. Fans may be asked to show identification on entering the stadium.
• Should visiting fans have tickets for other sectors of the stadium which are not allocated for visiting fans, these fans will only be admitted entry at the discretion of Real Madrid.
• The individuals who activated pyrotechnical devices at Sporting's match on Saturday have been identified. the use of such devices is highly damaging for the club and can lead to fines and even close of sectors of the stadium. Sporting appeals to all fans to refrain from using such devices.

3,917 tickets sold out for Champions League opener

All 3,917 tickets on sale to Sporting fans in Alvalade for the coming Champions League visit to Real Madrid hae sold out. A queue of 500 fans had already formed by the time ticket offices opened at 09h30 this morning.

Sales to begin on Monday for Champions League matchday 1

As Real Madrid are unable to provide more than the regulated 5% of tickets for Champions League matchday 1, a total of 3,917 tickets will go on sale on Monday the 5th of September as follows:

MONDAY | Club Members with a Gamebox 2016/2017 (14 years with a Member Gamebox)

TUESDAY | Club Members with a Gamebox 2016/2017 (from 10 to 13 years with a Member Gamebox)

WEDNESDAY | Club Members with a Gamebox 2016/2017 (from 5 to 9 years with a Member Gamebox)

THURSDAY | Club Members with a Gamebox 2016/2017 (from 4 to 1 years with a Member Gamebox)

FRIDAY | Club Members

SATURDAY | General public

Ticket offices will be open in Estádio José Alvalade from 10h to 20h, with two types of ticket on sale:

4TH FLOOR | €30

3RD FLOOR | €45

A valid Gamebox 2016/2017 must be presented when purchasing a ticket, with August 2016 fees paid. Each Gamebox is valid for one ticket and each person may bring a maximum of 4 cards.

Real Madrid CF vs. Sporting CP will be played on Wednesday the 14th of September in the Spanish capital.

VERY IMPORTANT

All Club Members and fans who travel to Madrid to support Sporting Clube de Portugal must write their name and identification number on their ticket (ID card or passport) and tickets cannot be transmitted. Tickets will be checked on entering the stadium and fans only fans with the corresponding identification will be permitted entry.